Porto marks World Aids Day by raising awareness on prevention

World Aids Day is celebrated on 1st December and the Municipality of Porto greatly relished the date with the lighting of iconic buildings in town.

The purpose of this initiative -"Porto, Cidade Sem Sida", ["Porto, City without Aids", free translation] is to raise awareness on HIV and that everyone acts aware and helps ensure that all those affected by HIV are treated fairly and with understanding.

Buildings such as the Hospital University Centre of Porto (Hospital de Santo António), the Health Unit of Carvalhosa (Boavista/Cedofeita) and the Health Unit of Vale Formoso (Paranhos) are lit in red to mark this date.

This initiative also showcases the city's activities regarding the HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness programme in Porto, namely community mobilization and sensitization about HIV/AIDS, to help decrease the prevalence of the epidemic.

The Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, spoke about the importance of such an initiative, to fight HIV/AIDS in an integrated manner and to promote healthcare and inclusion to those affected.